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Changeling: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿผ
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changeling

 

[ หˆสงeษชnสคlษชล‹ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

folklore belief

A changeling is a creature found in folklore, particularly in European traditions, characterized by a fairy or elf that has been left in place of a human child. Often depicted as a sickly or deformed child, changelings were believed to be the product of a supernatural exchange. Parents would sometimes resort to various rituals or strategies in hopes of reclaiming their real child, who had been taken away by fairies. The belief in changelings reflects deep-seated fears about the vulnerability of children and the unknown aspects of parenthood.

Synonyms

fairy child, impostor, substitute.

Examples of usage

  • The story of the changeling is often recounted in fairy tales.
  • She suspected her baby was a changeling due to its strange behavior.
  • In folklore, a changeling was often left in place of a human baby.

Translations

Translations of the word "changeling" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mudanรงa

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคฆเคฒเคพเคต

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Wandel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ perubahan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะผั–ะฝะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zmiana

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅค‰ๅŒ–

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท changement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cambio

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท deฤŸiลŸim

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ณ€ํ™”

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุบูŠูŠุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zmฤ›na

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zmena

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ˜ๅŒ–

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ sprememba

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ breyting

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำฉะทะณะตั€ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒชแƒ•แƒšแƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ dษ™yiลŸiklik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cambio

Etymology

The term 'changeling' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the word 'changeling' which means 'to change or exchange.' The concept of changelings dates back to ancient beliefs and mythologies, particularly in Celtic and Germanic cultures, where it was thought that fairies possessed the ability to steal humans, particularly infants, and replace them with their own. This idea was prevalent in the medieval period, where many believed that babies who exhibited unusual traits or illnesses might be changelings. The fear surrounding changelings often reflected societal anxieties about the fragility of infants, and the importance of protecting them from supernatural harm. Additionally, the notion of a changeling was those who could not thrive in the human world and were often seen as signs of misfortune in a family. Over time, such folklore has inspired various forms of literature and entertainment, contributing to modern interpretations of fairy tales.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,386 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.